The lightning-caused Rattlesnake Fire is 3200 acres burning approximately 5 miles west of Bumble Bee in the Castle Creek Wilderness (T10N, R1E, S24). There are no immediate structures, private property or critical infrastructure threatened by the Rattlesnake Fire. The fire is burning concurrently on both Forest Service lands and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. The agencies are working together in responding to this fire.
The Incident Commander and local officials have decided on a strategy that minimizes risk and maximizes tactical advantage, and likelihood of success for firefighters. Fire managers take into consideration many factors when deciding what actions to take in suppressing wildland fire with firefighter and public safety at the forefront. The factors considered in this decision include: current and expected location of the fire; the conditions of burnable vegetation; terrain; current and forecasted weather; and most importantly, the ability to extricate a potentially injured firefighter from the terrain. These factors are considered and weighed against the threats from the fire and the potentially affected values.
Firefighters are proactively preparing for burn-out operations on the rim above the fire to protect the Horsethief Basin should the fire establish and threaten that area. Firefighters are also assessing the east side of the fire along County Road 59 for burn-out and holding needs. The Incident Commander and local officials are working behind the scenes to establish action points to better respond to future changes in the fire or conditions.
Often times, lightning fires are mislabeled as “letting them burn.” This is never the case. Constant and deliberate analysis is on-going along with establishing tactics deemed most safe and most likely to succeed. Likely outcomes of this lightning fire might include wildlife habitat improvement; reintroduction of nutrients into the soil; regeneration of grasses and forbs; reduction of dense brush and ground fuels; and enhancement of wilderness values.
Area closures are expected to be implemented on both Forest Service and BLM lands within the next 24 hours for the protection of the public and the firefighters on the ground. Information on closures will be released and posted Wednesday, August 19.
The fire and smoke will be visible to the west of Sunset Point on I-17 for days to come. Please be cautious while driving the highways in the area. The fire will be visible from Highway 69 from Mayer to Cordes Junction and along I-17 from Cordes Junction to Black Canyon City. Drivers are encouraged to keep their curiosity at bay and eyes forward on the road.
Weather: The area forecast indicates several days of warm temperatures and no precipitation with light winds. There are indications of a return to more normal monsoon weather by Monday of next week.
Fire Information: The public can obtain fire information via the following:
· Prescott National Forest Fire Information Hotline: 928-777-5799
· Prescott National Forest Web Site: www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott
· Fire Information: 928-925-1111
Leave a Reply